The Rays have released right-hander Jake Odorizzi, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The righty signed a minor league deal with the club about a month ago but he’ll now head back to free agency.
Odorizzi, 34, has a lengthy track record of success in the majors but missed the entire 2023 season after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his throwing shoulder. Given that missed season and some other health issues in previous campaigns, he had to settle for the aforementioned minor league deal with the Rays.
He’s made two Triple-A starts this year but they have not gone well, to put it mildly. He allowed seven earned runs in 5 1/3 innings, striking out just two opponents while walking five. Topkin relays word from Odorizzi, who says he’s been dealing with a hamstring strain. He will heal up and then start throwing again before looking to sign his next deal.
From 2014 to 2019, Odorizzi had six straight solid seasons. He tossed between 140 and 190 innings in each of those, with his earned run average finishing between 3.50 and 4.50 in every campaign of that period. He had a combined 3.88 ERA in 991 2/3 innings for that time, striking out 23% of batters faced while walking 8.2% of them.
But his health, or lack thereof, has largely defined the subsequent seasons. He was only able to make four starts in the shortened 2020 campaign, with an intercostal strain the primary culprit. In the next two seasons, he just barely eclipsed the 100-inning mark in both, missing time due to a flexor strain in his right arm and a tendon strain in his lower leg. As mentioned, the shoulder procedure wiped out his 2023 season entirely and he’s now battling a hamstring strain.
All of those issues will surely tamp down interest, but pitching also figures to be in high demand around the league. Pitchers have seemingly been dropping like flies in recent weeks so clubs will surely be looking to add veteran depth in the coming months. Despite the recent struggles, Odorizzi’s track record ought to get him a few calls whenever he starts ramping up again.
He will find a home. Probably in the International League or Pacific Coast League for some team needing a starting pitcher. Who knows, i could be Gwnnett because the Braves are running a little thin on the starter side in the organization. Or with the WooSox.
Just seems like there have been run onto the Injured list for a lot of teams rotations. But he has to prove his hammy is in good shape.
Next stop Mets
Indeed.
100%
Astros bring him back! Can’t be worse than Brown
Braves just ran out CeCe and BeBe Winan’s adopted son, Allen, and got schelacked. Even Luis Guillerome hung 4 ER. Maybe ATL needs Jake back?
Looking forward to the Braves and Astros here in a couple of weeks. We’re getting swept. Our new GM is terrible
The putrid stench of rotting maggots from Odorizzi was mercifully extinguished
I get that you’re emotionally reacting to the outcome of today’s game. But yes, Odorizzi can be very much worse than Hunter Brown.
Odorizzi at least has decent stuff and he pitched well in 2022 in a handful of starts. Brown has been terrible his entire career
ckc
FG DC projects
Brown for about 4 runs per 9
Odorizzi for about 4.5 runs per 9
Yes, I trust FG more than I trust you
No, you saying that projections are sometimes wrong, will not change that
I get that some people are really stubborn. I was just saying the Astros have absolutely no pitching and should take a low-risk option on someone to try and stabilize it. Stay complacent and have a 100 loss team, doesn’t matter to me.
ckc
No idea who you’re replying to since
1) the threading at this site sucks
2) most people don’t take the time to make it clear
The Astros are currently projected by FG for the 17th most starting pitching WAR though the rest of the season
Middle of the pack, definitely better than “absolutely no pitching”.
Yes. I still trust FG more than I trust you.
Marlin
Brewers are calling. Guy like this is kinda their expertise.
Braves should be desperate but not this desperate
Jake needs a relaxing promising young environment like the A’s. Billy Beane – it’s so obvious he’s still pretty much running operations in Oakland – and his liutenant David Forst shall give a call to Odorizzi to entice him to come and pitch for the A’s…
Odorizzi: “You had me at hello.” (wipes tear from corner of eye)
Just about everybody will be kicking the tires on this one. Everybody will need an emergency starter by July it seems.
Odorizzi come, Odorizzi go ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Is he old enough make theCardinals squad?
Doesn’t matter. Bring him home.
Houston, they have a problem, and should be looking for help.
I like him, what gives? At worst he can be a mediocre middle reliever.
Well, seems like at worst he can get shelled in AAA.
minor league contract, totally nothing to lose unless you have a full rotation at AAA that you’d be taking innings from. Bring it to Baltimore, Jake.
Red Sox, in for Pivetta. Two starts and gone.
Giolitto says Hi
Hi Giolito, are you enjoying your $38 million? Was there much elbow discomfort when you signed the contract? Lots? Oh sorry to hear that.
I think he felt a twinge while signing
Fork, meet Jake,
Jake, where would you prefer to get stuck?
By his request right? He must have felt he want ready. Otherwise there is no reason.to release him. The Rays wouldn’t care if their AAA team drops a few games and two starts is too soon.
Welcome to the Dodgers
Convert him to the bullpen and bring him home to the cardinals
Since the Rays are never wrong, might it be prudent to put Odorizzi on suicide watch?